Dead Sea Marathon Israel

At 1200 feet below sea level, The Dead Sea marathon at Ein Bokek is at the southern end of the Dead Sea. After a big sand storm two days earlier, the air cleared and race day was partly cloudy and 60 degrees. Packet pickup was the evening before on the beach with many sponsor booths available for last minute needs. The course is mostly on hard packed gravel with one mile of softer sand and the last 3 miles on an asphalt bike path with the finish next to the beach. Several hotels are in Ein Bokek for an easy race day experience. I ran the more popular half marathon. About 400 did the marathon or 50K. Well worth taking a running vacation for those who are tired of winter running.